Automatic lock



- April 10, 1928.

G. FEENEY ET AL AUTOMATI C LOCK Filed Aug. 26, 1927 5 Sheets-5h66?. 2

INVENTORS ATTOR N EY April 10, 1928. 1,665,952 G. Fl-:ENEY ET Ax.

AUTOMATI C LOCK Filed Aug. 26, 1927 5 Sheets-Shea?l 5 Fay ff Aprilflo, 192s. 1,665,952

G. FEENEY ET AL AUTOMATIC LOCK Filed u 26, 1927' 5 Sheets-Shea?. 4

Fly Z all finanzas 'wuwrff ATTOR N EY April 10, 192s. 1,665,952

G. FEENEY ET AL AUTOMATIC LOCK Filed Aug. 26, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ffy i INVENTORS ATTOR N EY Patented Apr. 10, 1928s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.Y

GEORGE FEENEY AND THOMAS OCONNOR, OF COLUMBUS, OHO, ASSIGNORS OF ONE- TENTH T0 TIMOTHY OBREN, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

AUTOMATIC LOCK.

Application filed August 26, 1927. Serial No. 215,732.

This invention relates to a locking device for the doors of railway cars such as mail cars, baggage cars and express and box cars, the general object of the invention being to provide means for holding the latch of the door in locking position by a pair of members, one of which is held in operative position by air from the air line of the train and the other of which is moved into operative or inoperative position by a key, the parts being so arranged that the air operated device will move to operative position when the key is turned to move the other member into inoperative position so that it is necessary to shut ofi:l the air to the device and then turn the key before the device can be set to unlocking position.

Another object of the invention is to so arrange the parts that the hand operated device can be used to lock and unlock the door when the air has been shut off from the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide spring means for holding the air operated member in inoperative position at all times when the air has been shut oft1 and the device is being used as a hand operated device only.

Another object of the invention is to so arrange the parts that the door latch can be moved to operativ-e and inoperative position in the ordinary manner when the locking device is in inoperative position.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several part-s7 to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specificallyv pointed out in lthe appended claims.

In describing our invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding iai-ts throughout the several views, and in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of the exterior of the car, with parts broken away to show the interior, and showing the invention in use. l

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the locking device.

Figure f1: is a front view of the device with parts broken away.

Figure 5 is a side view showing a modiiieation.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Figure 7.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional View through the modified. form of the device.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view of the inside of the car., showing the modified form of the device in use.

Figure 9 is a. view of the key engaging end of the shaft.

Figure l() is an end view of the key.

Figure 11 is a side view of the key.

As shown in these views, A indicates a part of the car and B a part of the door thereof, this door being arranged to slide along one side of the inner wall of the car, as in the ordinary manner and said door is provided with a keeper member 1 which is adapted to receive the end of the latch 2 which is connected by a coupling 3 with a depending rod 4, the headed end of which extends into the casing 5 of the locking device which is fastened to the inner wall of the car and all of these parts are enclosedy in a housing 6 fastened to the wall of the car. A spring 7 is placed on the rod 4 and has its upper end bearing against the coupling` 3 and its lower end engages a cupshaped part of a bnshing S inserted in the top of the casing 5 and through which the rod /L passes. Thus the spring tends to hold the latch 2 in engagement with the keeper member 1. A shaft 9 is journaled in the side wall of the car and has a handle 10 0n its outer end and an arm 11 on its inner end which has a part engaging the latch 2 so that by manipulating the handle 1()7 the latch 2 can be depressed against the action of its spring to move it to releasing position.

The casing 5 is attached to the inner wall of the car and has a keyhole forming part 12 extending through said outerv wall so that a key, such as shown at 13 in Figure 11,v

can be inserted in this hole fr0m the outside of the ear. The opposite partof the casing is formed with a socket forming extension 14 in which is placed a bushing 16 and a locking member 17 ot rectangular shape has a cylindrical central portion 18 at one side thereof which slidingly tits in the bushing. A second locking member 19 is arranged in parallel relation to Vthe member 17 in the casing 5, and a flanged nut member .20 ,passes through an opening in the member 19.

A shaft Z1 has its inner end rotatably and slidably arranged in an openiiml which is formed in the member 17 and its extension 18 and this sha't is provided with 'the threads 23 which engage the nut member 2O in `such -a 'manner that when the shat't is turned, the nut member is moved forwardly or rearwardly according 'to ithe direction the shaft is rotated. rlhe sha-tt is provided with-a ratchet wheel 24 which is engaged by a spring pressed dog arranged in the wall of the casing 5 and the end ot the shaft which lits in the keyhole is formed with a triangular shaped `projection 25 and the three pins 26 and the key is formed with a triangular shaped opening "27 to receive'the projection 25 and the-holes 28 t'or receiving the pins 26, so that when` the hey is placed in engagement with 'the projections on the shaft, the shaft can be turned 'by rotating the key.

A coil. spring '29 `surrounds 'the shatt- :and the body ot' the nut member and has one end engaging a Harige of the nut 'member and its other end engages the member 17, and this spring tends `to Jforce the member 17 against the wall of the easing 5, with its extension 18 in the socket forming part 14. A roller 30 is carried by the bottom ot each of "the members 17 and 19 and these rollers engage the 'bottom of the casing. A pipe 31 has its upper lend screwed in the `extension 14 and this pipe is connected with the air system et the train, .a passage 3i. in the extension 14 connecting the upper end ot the pipe with the `cylinder formed by i'nember 14, and said pipe contains a valve 33 which is 'accessible from the inside ot the `car through an opening 34 termed in the housing 6.' Thus the air entering the cylinder' Vfrom the air system wiil force the member 17 under the head of the rod 4 and against the action oly the spring 29. when the valve 33 is open.

From the foregoing it will be seen that when the valve 33 is open, the air will force the member 17 against thepins 35 carried bythe membe'r 19 and "it member 19 is in inoperative. position, the member 17 will be moved under the headed end of the rod 4 and thus prevent lowering et the rod 4 and thev releasing of the latch Q. Thus it will vbe impossible to unlock the door of the `car until the Aair in the air system of the train is released. As soon as this is done, the spring through the pipe 31 to the train pipe. It the key is used while the air is on, the member 19 would push back the member 17, but bet'ore the rod 4 could be moved downwardly, said member' 19 would move under the saine so that the parts would still remain in locking Yposition and then when the member 19 was moved back to its original position, the air would cause the member 17 to follow it.

lifhen the device is not to be operated by auf, Ithe vaive can be closed and then the member 17 will be held against the casino" 5 by 'the spring 29 and it will remain in t iis position until the air is again turned on to the device. lilith themember 17 in inoperative position, lthe hey is used to turn the shaft 21 to move the member 19 under the rod 4 to hold the latch -i-n locking position orto move 'the member 19 from under the rod 4 to per-init lthe vlatch to be moved to releasing position. Thus we have provided simple means for preventing the opening of the `cardoor while the train is in transit, the locking means being actuated either by air or by -a hey, as desired.

in 'factual practice, the key is used to lock the parts and then it' an `attempt is made by a thiei to unlockv the ldoor while the train is in motion and should he succeed in moving the key operated means to inoperative position, the air pressure in 'the cylinder would cause the member 17 to follow the member 19 and thus hold the door locked and prevent the thief from entering the car. 1t 'will be umlerstood that the door cannot be unlocked even by a hey until the air pressure in the brake `line is reduced to permit the air in the cylinder' to escape.

r1`he easing is made airtight by means of the gaskets 36 and a. washer 37V is placed on the end of the Apiston forming part 18 te prevent escape of air from the cylinder formed by the part 14.

In the modification, the casing 5l is fastened 'to `the under part ot the car "by the bolts 3S and the Vempi-'39 ot the casing is held to the casing bythe bolts 40. The locking meu'ibers 17 and 19 are ot slightly dit ferent term from those shown in the other figures as the member 17 is provided with a beveled part 42 which is engaged by a projecting part 4?) on member 19 when the two parts are engaging each other. The shaft 21" is provided with a collar 44 which engages a 1 `siderable length, as shown in Figure 8, and

the handle parts 10 tor moving this red are aiso ot a slightly different form trom that shown in the other figures. I-io'wever.V this form of the invention works the same as that first described.

In the modiiieation, a roller 4r is placed en ico lili

lio

the lower end of the part 4 of the rod 4 for engaging the locking member 17 and 19.

The key shown is a ditlicult one to duplicate and the pins protect the triangle on the controlling shaft and the outer end of the shaft is housed deep so that it is impossible to turn the shaft with a tool other than the key designed Jfor it.

It is thought from the foregoing description thatthe advantages and novel features of our invention will be readily apparent- Te desire it to be understood that we may make changes in the constructlon and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

That we claim is 1. A locking device of the class described comprising a casing, a latching rod extending into the same, a pair of members movably arranged in the casing and when either one of which is arranged under the rod, will prevent movement of the same, means for normally holding the members apart so that the rod may be lowered between them, key operated means for moving one ot' the members and compressed air operated means for moving the second member against the first member.

2. A locking device ot the class described comprising a casing, a latching rod extending into the same, a pair of members movably arranged in the casing and when either one ot' which is arranged under the rod, will prevent movement of the same, means for normally holding the members apart so that the rod may be lowered between them, key operated means for moving one of the members, compressed air operated means for moving the second member against the tirst member and means for shutting Off the air supply when desired.

3. A lock of the class described comprising a casing, a latching rod depending into the same, a pair of members slidably arranged in the casing and when either one of which is under the rod will hold the same in latching position, a spring arranged between the two members for urging them apart, a piston formed on one member, a cylinder vformed by a part of the casing, means for connecting the cylinder with a supply of compressed air to move the piston carrying member aga-inst the other member, means tor shutting off the air when desired and key operated means for actuating the other member.

Il. A lock of the class described comprising a casing, a latching rod depending into the same, a pair of members slidably arranged in the casing and when either one of which is under the rod will hold the same in latching position, a spring arranged between the two members for urging them apart, a

piston formed on one member, a cylinder formed by a part of the casing, means for connecting the cylinder with a supply of coniprcssed air to move the piston carrying member against the other member, means for shutting oli' the air when desired, key operated means for actuating theother member,y such means including` a shaft having threads thereon, means for causing the rotation ot the shaft to move thel member and key engaging means on the outer end of the sliatt.

5. A lock of the class described comprising a casing, a latching rod depending into the same, a pair of members slidably arranged in the casing and when either one of which is under the rod will hold the same in latching position, a spring arranged between the two members for urging them apart, a piston formed on one member, a cylinder formed by a part of the casing, means t'or connecting the cylinder with a supply ot compressed air to move the piston Iarrying member against the other member, means for shutting` oit the air when desired, key operated means for actuating the other member, 'such means including a shaft having threads thereon, means for causing the rotation of the shaft to move the member, a triangular shaped projection and pins on the outer end of the shaft and a key formed with a triangular shaped socket and round sockets ior receiving the projection and pins on the shaft.

6. A lock tor the doors of railroad cars coinln'ising a casing, a rod connected with the latch ot the car door and extending into the casing, a spring associated with the rod for normally holding the latch in latching position, a handle connected with the latch for releasing the same and lowering the rod, a pair of locking members in the casing adapted to be moved alternately unde-r the rod to prevent lowering of the same, a piston on one member, a cylinder formed by a part ot the casing and receiving the piston, means for connecting the cylinder with the air line of the car to move the piston carrying member against the other member, a valve Within the car for closing the air line, a spring for normally urging the piston in the cylinder when the air line is closed, a screw shaft for moving the other member and a key for 0perating said shaft.

7. A lock for the doors of railroad cars comprising a casing, a rod connected with the latch of the car door and extending into the casing, a spring associated with the rod tor normally holding the latch in latching position, a handle connected with the latch for releasing the same and lowering the rod, a pair of locking members' in the casing adapted to be moved alternately under the rod to prevent lowering of the same, a piston on one member, a cylinder formed by a part of the casing, means for connecting the cylmember, a key foroperatng said shaft and inder with the air line of the 'canto move the rol-1ers ont-he members and engaging the botpiston carrying member' against the other tom of the casing. l 10 member` a valve within the car for closing n 'testimony whereof We 'affix our sgnathe air line, a spring for normally holding tures. the piston in the cylinder when the air line 'GEORGE FEENEY.

is closed, u screw `shaft for moving the other THOMAS OCONNOR. 

